The Seoul Metropolitan Area (Sudogwon; , ) or Gyeonggi region (), is the

metropolitan area A metropolitan area or metro is a region consisting of a densely populated urban area, urban agglomeration and its surrounding territories which share Industry (economics), industries, commercial areas, Transport infrastructure, transport network ...

Seoul Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital city, capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's List of cities b ...

Incheon Incheon is a city located in northwestern South Korea, bordering Seoul and Gyeonggi Province to the east. Inhabited since the Neolithic, Incheon was home to just 4,700 people when it became an international port in 1883. As of February 2020, ...

, and

Gyeonggi Province Gyeonggi Province (, ) is the most populous province in South Korea. Seoul, the nation's largest city and capital, is in the heart of the area but has been separately administered as a provincial-level ''special city'' since 1946. Incheon, ...

, located in north-western

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

. Its population of 26 million (as of 2024) is ranked as the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the world. Its area is about . It forms the cultural, commercial, financial, industrial, and residential center of South Korea. The largest city is Seoul, with a population of approximately 10 million people, followed by Incheon, with three million inhabitants.

Geography and climate

The Metropolitan Area occupies a plain in the Han River valley.

History

Demographics

Covering only about 12% of the country's area, the Seoul Metropolitan Area is home to more than 48.2% of the national population, and is the world's ninth-largest urban area. This percentage has risen steadily since the mid-20th century, and the trend is expected to continue. Currently more than half of the people who move from one region to another are moving to the capital area. In 2020, it was reported that the Seoul Metropolitan Area's population had exceeded 50% of the country's total population, with 25,925,799 people living in the area (50.002% of the total 51,849,861).

Economy

In 2023, the Seoul Metropolitan Area's

gross regional domestic product Gross regional domestic product (GRDP), gross domestic product of region (GDPR), or gross state product (GSP) is a statistic that measures the size of a region's economy. It is the aggregate of gross value added (GVA) of all resident producer unit ...

was

US$ The United States dollar (Currency symbol, symbol: Dollar sign, $; ISO 4217, currency code: USD) is the official currency of the United States and International use of the U.S. dollar, several other countries. The Coinage Act of 1792 introdu ...

1.0 trillion, generating around half of the country's total GDP. It is the fourth-largest urban economy in the world after Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles but ahead of Paris and London. The region hosts headquarters of 59 ''Forbes'' Global 2000 companies. As the economy of Seoul Metropolitan Area transformed to

knowledge economy The knowledge economy, or knowledge-based economy, is an economic system in which the production of goods and services is based principally on knowledge-intensive activities that contribute to advancement in technical and scientific innovation. ...

from the

manufacturing Manufacturing is the creation or production of goods with the help of equipment, labor, machines, tools, and chemical or biological processing or formulation. It is the essence of the secondary sector of the economy. The term may refer ...

-based economy of the 20th century, there are a number of high-tech business parks in Seoul Metropolitan Area, such as

Digital Media City Digital Media City (DMC; ) is a high-tech complex for Digital data, digital technologies, housing Ubiquitous computing, ubiquitous Computer networking, networked offices, apartments, exhibitions, conference halls, television network headquarters ...

and

Pangyo Techno Valley Pangyo Techno Valley (PTV) is an industrial complex in the city of Pangyo, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is also known as the Silicon Valley of Korea. The complex focuses on information technology, biotech, cultural technology an ...

The Seoul Metropolitan Area is home to the most affluent and livable cities and apartments in

Korea Korea is a peninsular region in East Asia consisting of the Korean Peninsula, Jeju Island, and smaller islands. Since the end of World War II in 1945, it has been politically Division of Korea, divided at or near the 38th parallel north, 3 ...

but there are significant discrepancies between cities and districts, particularly between those built in the older and newer generations. Newer areas with more modern and luxurious apartments and infrastructure are more expensive, along with proximity to Gangnam District, the commercial center of the region.

Government

Various agencies have been set up to deal with the intergovernmental problems of the region. Proposals for consolidating some or all of the cities of the capital area into a handful of metropolitan cities have thus far not been implemented. Development in the area is currently governed by the Capital Region Readjustment Planning Act (), first passed in 1982 and last revised in 1996.

Subdivisions

The Seoul Metropolitan Area is divided among the special city of

, the metropolitan city of

, and province of

Gyeonggi Gyeonggi Province (, ) is the most populous province in South Korea. Seoul, the nation's largest city and capital, is in the heart of the area but has been separately administered as a provincial-level ''special city'' since 1946. Incheon, ...

. Seoul has 25 gu (local government wards), Incheon has 8 gu and 2 counties, and Gyeonggi Province has 28 cities and 3 counties as the subdivisions.

Seoul

The 25 districts of Seoul. * Dobong District () *

Dongdaemun District Dongdaemun District () is one of the 25 List of districts of Seoul, districts of Seoul, South Korea. It has a population of 346,770 (2010) and has a geographic area of 14.22 Square kilometre, km2 (5.49 sq mi), and is divided into 14 ''Dong (admin ...

() * Dongjak District () *

Eunpyeong District Eunpyeong District () is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. Eunpyeong is divided into 16 '' dong'' (administrative neighborhoods). Eunpyeong is located in northwestern Seoul, bordering Gyeonggi Province city of Goyang to the west, and ...

() * Gangbuk District () *

Gangdong District Gangdong District () is one of the 25 List of districts of Seoul, districts that make up the city of Seoul. Gangdong, literally means "east of river". Jungbu (literally "central part") Express Motorway starts in and passes through Sangil-dong, w ...

() * Gangnam District () * Gangseo District () * Geumcheon District () *

Guro District Guro District () is one of the List of districts of Seoul, 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea, which was separated from Yeongdeungpo District on April 1, 1980. Located in the southwestern part of the city, where besides Yangcheon District and ...

() * Gwanak District () *

Gwangjin District Gwangjin District () is one of the List of districts of Seoul, 25 districts of Seoul, Seoul, South Korea. It is located on the north bank of the Han River (Korea), Han River on the eastern end of City of Seoul, Seoul. The district was split from ...

() * Jongno District () * Jung District () *

Jungnang District Jungnang District () is one of the 25 ''gu'', or districts, of Seoul, South Korea. It is located on the north side of the Han River. It is characterized by a typical residential area with many natural green areas such as Yongma, Mangwoo, and B ...

() *

Mapo District Mapo District () is one of the 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. Mapo has a population of 381,330 (2015) and has a geographic area of 23.87 km2 (9.22 sq mi), and is divided into 24 '' dong'' (administrative neighborhoods). Mapo is located in ...

() *

Nowon District Nowon District () is one of the List of districts of Seoul, 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea, located in the most northeastern part of the metropolitan city. It is considered to be a residental district, due to its high concentration of apartme ...

() *

Seocho District Seocho District () is one of the 25 districts which make up the city of Seoul, South Korea. Seocho is a part of the Gangnam region, along with the Gangnam district of Seoul. Seocho District ranks as one of the richest neighborhoods in South K ...

() *

Seodaemun District Seodaemun District () is one of the 25 List of districts of Seoul, districts of Seoul, South Korea. It has a population of 313,814 (2010) and has a geographic area of 17.61 Square kilometre, km2 (6.8 sq mi), and is divided into 14 ''Dong (admi ...

() * Seongbuk District () *

Seongdong District Seongdong District () is one of the 25 List of districts of Seoul, districts which make up the city of Seoul, South Korea. It is situated on the north bank of the Han River (Korea), Han River. It is divided into 20 ''dong'' (neighbourhoods). The ...

() * Songpa District () * Yangcheon District () *

Yeongdeungpo District Yeongdeungpo District () is one of the List of districts of Seoul, 25 districts of Seoul, South Korea. Although the origin of the name is uncertain, the first two syllables are thought to be from "''yeongdeung''" (靈登) or "divine ascent", a ...

() *

Yongsan District Yongsan District (, ) is one of the 25 List of districts of Seoul, districts of Seoul, South Korea. It has a population of 231,685 (2020) and has a geographic area of , and is divided into 19 ''Dong (administrative division), dong'' (administrati ...

()

Incheon

The eight districts and two counties of Incheon. * Bupyeong District () * Dong District () * Gyeyang District () * Jung District () * Michuhol District () (Former Nam District() * Namdong District () * Seo District () * Yeonsu District () *

Ganghwa County Ganghwa County () is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, county in Incheon, South Korea. The county is composed of Ganghwa Island and the minor islands around it. History Ganghwa County contains some of the most important historical sites ...

() * Ongjin County ()

Gyeonggi-do

There are twenty-eight cities and three counties in Gyeonggi-do. Below are seven of the largest cities, sorted by their population size:

Suwon

The four gu of Suwon (). * Paldal-gu () * Yeongtong-gu () * Jangan-gu () * Gwonseon-gu ()

Goyang

The three gu of Goyang (). * Deogyang-gu () *

Ilsandong-gu Ilsandong District () is a district in Goyang, South Korea. Ilsan-gu was divided into Ilsandong District, meaning 'east of Ilsan' and Ilsanseo District, meaning 'west', on May 16, 2005. Administration Ilsandong District is divided into 11 ''Subd ...

() * Ilsanseo-gu ()

Yongin

The three gu of Yongin (). * Cheoin-gu () * Giheung-gu () * Suji-gu ()

Seongnam

The three gu of Seongnam (). * Bundang-gu () * Jungwon-gu () * Sujeong-gu ()

Bucheon

Ansan

The two gu of Ansan () * Danwon-gu () * Sangnok-gu ()

Anyang

The two gu of Anyang () * Dongan-gu () * Manan-gu () *

Anseong Anseong (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, south of Seoul. Anseong promotes itself as "The City of Masters". It is known for producing brassware and arts and crafts. From late spring to fall, Anseong holds its own Namsadang Neuri ...

() * Dongducheon () *

Gimpo Gimpo (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It borders Incheon, with which it shares the South Korean side of the Han River (Korea), Han River estuary, as well as Seoul and the lesser cities o ...

() *

Goyang Goyang (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province in the north of South Korea. It is part of the Seoul Metropolitan Area, making Goyang one of Seoul's Satellite city, satellite cities. It is one of the largest cities in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, w ...

() * Gunpo () * Guri () *

Gwacheon Gwacheon (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It lies close to Seoul in the heart of the Seoul National Capital Area, and also lies just east of Anyang, Gyeonggi, Anyang. Seoul Subway Line 4 pa ...

() *

Gwangju Gwangju (; ), formerly romanized as Kwangju, is South Korea's list of cities in South Korea, sixth-largest metropolis. It is a designated Special cities of South Korea, metropolitan city under the direct control of the central government's Home ...

() *

Gwangmyeong Gwangmyeong (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It borders Seoul to the east, north and northeast, Anyang, Gyeonggi, Anyang to the southeast, Siheung to the southwest, and Bucheon to the nort ...

() * Hanam () * Hwaseong () * Icheon () *

Namyangju Namyangju (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. To the east is Gapyeong County, to the west is Guri, and to the north is Pocheon. Namyangju was originally a southern part of Yangju-gun, but was separated into Namyangju-gun in April ...

() *

Osan Osan (; ) is a Subdivisions of South Korea, city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, approximately south of Seoul. The population of the city is around 200,000. The local economy is supported by a mix of agricultural and industrial enterprises. ...

() *

Paju Paju (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Paju was made a city in 1997; it had previously been a county (''gun''). The city area of Paju is ,"Paju (Gyeonggi-do Province)." ''Naver Encyclopedi ...

() *

Pocheon Pocheon (; ) is an landlocked, inland Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in northeast Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It covers 2 with a population of 160,176 people, according to the 2008 census. Pocheon lies between Seoul and the mou ...

() *

Pyeongtaek Pyeongtaek (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Located in the southwestern part of the province, Pyeongtaek was founded as a union of two districts in 1940. It was elevated to city status in 1986 and is home to a South Korean naval b ...

() * Siheung () *

Uijeongbu Uijeongbu (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is the tenth-most populous city in the province and a suburb of Seoul within the greater Seoul Metropolitan Area. History Uijeongbu was estab ...

() *

Uiwang Uiwang (; ) is a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It is one of many satellite cities that ring Seoul, making up the Seoul Capital Area. Its largest immediate urban neighbor is Anyang. The low peaks of the Gwangju Mountains (including M ...

() * Yangju () *

Yeoju Yeoju (; ) is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Yeoju was a county but was raised to the status of a city in September 2013. Together with the neighboring city of Icheon, it is known as a major ce ...

() * Gapyeong County () *

Yangpyeong County Yangpyeong County () is a Administrative divisions of South Korea, county in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Climate Yangpyeong has a monsoon-influenced humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification, Köppen: ''Dwa'') with cold, dry w ...

() * Yeoncheon County ()

Transportation

The cities of the capital area are tightly interconnected by road and rail. Many of the country's railroad lines, most notably the

Gyeongbu Line The Gyeongbu line (''Gyeongbuseon'') is a railway line in South Korea and is considered to be the most important and one of the oldest in the country. It was constructed in 1905, connecting Seoul with Busan via Suwon, Daejeon, and Daegu. It is ...

, terminate in the region. In addition, rapid transit is provided by the

Seoul Metropolitan Subway The Seoul Metropolitan Subway () is a urban rail transit, metropolitan railway system consisting of 23 rapid transit, Medium-capacity rail transport system, light metro, commuter rail and people mover lines located in northwest South Korea. T ...

, which has lines that serve all districts of Seoul, as well as the city of Incheon and other surrounding cities within Gyeonggi Province. The region is a nexus for travel by air and water. The country's two largest airports,

Incheon International Airport Incheon International Airport is the main international airport serving Seoul, the capital of South Korea. It is also one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. This airport opened for business on 29 March 2001, to replace the old ...

and

Gimpo International Airport Gimpo International Airport , sometimes referred to as Seoul–Gimpo International Airport but formerly rendered in English as Kimpo International Airport, is located in the far western end of Seoul, some west of the Jung District, Seoul, cen ...

, are in the metropolitan area. International and domestic ferries depart from Incheon's ferry terminals several times a day. Seoul Ring Expressway (Expressway No. 100) connects satellite cities around Seoul. File:Incheon Airport Prasertwit-1.jpg, Incheon International Airport File:SMSC EMU3000 VVVF 301.jpg, Seoul Metropolitan subway, Line 3 File:100 Seoul Ring.svg, Map of Seoul Ring Expressway

Notes

* * *

References

External links

Official website of Seoul Metropolitan government

Metropolitan Air Quality Management Office

Capital Region Development Institute, in Korean

Chosun Ilbo metro news
;

{{Authority control Seoul Metropolitan Area,

Geography and climate

History

Demographics

Economy

Government

Subdivisions

Seoul

Incheon

Gyeonggi-do

Suwon

Goyang

Yongin

Seongnam

Bucheon

Ansan

Anyang

Transportation

See also

Notes

References

External links